Oregon’s First Biotech Caucus Launches
Oregon’s growing life science sector reached a significant milestone on November 3 with the launch of the Oregon Biotech Caucus, chaired by State Representative Hai Pham, DMD. The new caucus brings together state and local leaders who share a commitment to advancing Oregon’s life sciences ecosystem—a fast-expanding driver of innovation, advanced manufacturing, and high-wage jobs across the state.
A Collaborative Launch Event at Aronora
The inaugural meeting, organized in partnership with Oregon Life Sciences, was hosted at Aronora, a Portland-based biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for blood clot–related disorders. Attendees toured Aronora’s facilities and heard from Erik Tucker, President and CEO, who shared the company’s journey from university-based research through incubation at the Oregon Bioscience Incubator (OTRADI/OBI) to the development of its own therapeutic pipeline.
The event also featured insights from Travis Cook, Senior Director of Technology Transfer at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), and Heather Ellis, Executive Director at Oregon Bioscience Incubator and OTRADI, who discussed Oregon’s innovation pipeline and the essential role of public–private partnerships in translating research breakthroughs into commercial products and clinical impact.
Building Momentum for Policy and Growth
The Oregon Biotech Caucus represents a significant step toward strengthening the state’s policy framework for research, biomanufacturing, and workforce development. By fostering collaboration between legislators, educators, and industry leaders, the caucus aims to accelerate the growth of Oregon’s life sciences sector and position the state as a national leader in biotech innovation.
Liisa Bozinovic, Executive Director of Oregon Life Sciences, emphasized the importance of this milestone:
“Oregon’s biotech sector is a vital engine for innovation and economic growth. The creation of the Biotech Caucus underscores the commitment of our state’s leaders to supporting science-driven entrepreneurship, workforce advancement, and policies that help our ecosystem thrive.”
Leadership and Participation
Special thanks go to Representative Hai Pham’s office for making this inaugural meeting possible, and to the public officials who joined in person and virtually, including:
Rep. April Dobson (House District 39)
Rep. Lisa Fragala (House District 8)
Mayor Yi-Kang Hu (City of Tigard)
Rep. Bobby Levy (House District 58)
Rep. Sarah Finger McDonald (House District 16)
Rep. Emily McIntire (House District 56)
Rep. Lesly Muñoz (House District 22)
The office of Daniel L. Nguyen (House District 38)
Mayor Beach Pace (City of Hillsboro)
Rep. Hai Pham, DMD (Oregon Biotech Caucus chair, House District 16)
Sen. Lisa Reynolds (Senate District 17)
Sen. Janeen Sollman (Senate District 15)
Rep. Sue Rieke-Smith (House District 26)
Rep. Nathan Sosa (House District 30)
County Commissioner Pamela Treece (Washington County, District 2)
Rep. Mari Watanabe (House District 34)
Looking Ahead
As Oregon Life Sciences continues to champion the state’s biotech industry, we look forward to ongoing collaboration with the Oregon Biotech Caucus to advance initiatives that bolster research investment, workforce training, and economic opportunity across Oregon’s innovation economy.
Our next opportunity to convene will be at the Oregon Business Plan Leadership Summit on December 8, which will include a breakout session at 2:15 PM featuring a moderated panel with Representative Hai Pham, industry, and academic leaders.
Oregon Life Sciences also extends gratitude to Erik Tucker and the Aronora team for hosting this inaugural event, and to Rocky Dallum of Tonkon Torp LLP for his work behind the scenes in helping make the caucus a reality and supporting our ongoing policy engagement at the Capitol.